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Take Action with the New Israel Fund

NIF convenes and coordinates with Israeli champions of democracy. When there is an opportunity for global voices to amplify the work of these front-line activists, we put out a call to action. Some of these opportunities, both current and archived, are listed below.

Our actions count. We have put the issue of women’s exclusion front and center on the public agenda. We have protested racism and “price-tag” vigilantism and supported Israeli leaders who take on extremism and exclusion. Sometimes lending your voice is all it takes to contribute to a better Israel.

Show that the Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance enjoys the support of an immense global community of individuals who care about equality and democracy in Israel. We’ll print this statement — along with all the names we get in the next 24 hours — as an ad in the Israeli press on the morning of the Jerusalem march.

It’s up to all of us to make sure that Yuli’s grandparents hear from us — the community of people who support Breaking the Silence. Take a minute to help Israelis come together for a better Israel. Join us in signing on . . .

The Knesset will soon take up legislation that targets progressive Israeli NGOs. Under the pretense of greater “transparency,” the bill creates a series of new hoops which Israeli groups that criticize Israeli government policy must jump through. Of course, the bill doesn’t apply these same “transparency” requirements to the mechanisms that fund Israel’s ultranationalist and settler organizations.

Under the pretext of greater “transparency,” Israel’s cabinet recently decided to support legislation that targets progressive Israeli NGOs. This initiative must still survive a series of Knesset votes before it becomes law. We’re planning to take out a full page ad in the Hebrew press in advance of the next Knesset vote. Add your name to our statement.

On Sunday 12/27 the Cabinet will vote on a so-called “NGO Transparency” bill. But, this bill will not provide any more transparency regarding the funding of NGOs in Israel. Rather, it exclusively targets Israel’s human rights and progressive NGOs with tedious requirements, such as forcing their representatives to wear special tags when they appear in the Knesset.

There’s no time to waste — please act to make sure that the Israeli government does not pass this legislation. Israel’s standing as a democracy is important to us all. Now is the time to for us to speak out.Our voices really can matter.

This Sunday will be Jerusalem Day in Israel. In recent years this holiday has included a “Flag Parade,” in which extremists march through Palestinian neighborhoods in and around the Old City. Spitting, shoving, vandalism, and racist chants — including “death to Arabs” and “the mosque will burn” — have become part of the event. Meanwhile, Palestinian residents are asked to clear the streets and close their shops.

It’s outrageous. And it doesn’t have to be this way. NIF supports Israelis who believe in peace and in the value of a shared society. Many Israelis are pushing back to defend a vision of Israel that embraces human rights. Here is your opportunity to join them. Write to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat — urge him to ensure that tensions in Jerusalem are not further inflamed.

Last week, a series of right-wing Knesset members announced that they are backing out of a high-profile conference about democracy in Israel that they had promised to attend. Their move — clearly a part of their election-season calculations — thrust the conference into the headlines. We have an opportunity to send a message about how important Israel’s democracy is to supporters of Israel worldwide.